'Struggling and fearful': Some Maritimers still waiting for answers about Fiona financial assistance
Bob Boutilier from Glace Bay, N.S., is still waiting for financial assistance to fix damage done to his home by post-tropical storm Fiona more than two months ago.
“The roof completely has to be replaced. New shingles, plywood, I need a new roof,” he said.
The 76-year-old doesn't have insurance and lives on a fixed income. The repairs are beyond his means and he's not alone.
“There's been quite a bit of communication coming through my office and through the communication lines of my council colleagues,” said Cape Breton Regional Municipality Mayor Amanda McDougall.
McDougall says a lot of residents are still trying to access disaster relief assistance.
She's not surprised the process has taken a while, but says it needs to speed up.
“People are really struggling and fearful. They're fearful for the change of season, for the cold to set in, for more storms to come, and the inability to get all of the repairs done and support that is necessary,” said McDougall.
The Canadian Red Cross stopped accepting new registrations for Fiona assistance as of 5 p.m. Friday, which they say will allow their team to devote its full attention to finalizing existing registrations.
“We have, to date, distributed more than $51 million to about 92,000 households,” said Dan Bedell, a spokesperson for the Canadian Red Cross.
Major repairs to homes are not part of that funding.
“We're not providing funds for the rebuilding of homes and things like that. Those are government programs,” said Bedell.
The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency announced a $300 million fund for communities and businesses in the region, but Boutilier is not sure whether he qualifies for any of it.
“I just don't understand why the bureaucracy takes forever. It's in plain sight for people to see the damage and what has to be done,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.